Cases

Smog & Soot: National Standards Review & Revision

Clients

American Lung AssociationEnvironmental Defense FundNatural Resources Defense CouncilSierra Club

Attorneys

David BaronPaul Cort

Regional Office / Program

California OfficeWashington, D.C. Office

Case Overview

This 2003 lawsuit set the stage for limits on smog pollution from power plants and other sources. We negotiated deadlines with the Environmental Protection Agency to propose standards for ozone, a precursor to smog, by June 20, 2007. The EPA’s weak protections mean more pollution for our cities and neighborhoods.

Case Updates

March 28, 2024 document

Communities intervene to defend national air quality standards from industry attacks

Health, environmental, and community organizations, represented by Earthjustice and Clean Air Task Force, filed to intervene in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent strengthening of an air standard for fine particulate matter pollution, finalized in February. This landmark standard is designed to protect public health and would address environmental injustices but is being challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit by major trade associations and 25 states.

Children from across the U.S. wrote letters to the Biden administration to share why they need clean air.
February 21, 2024 video

To: The Biden Administration. From: Kids

Celia, Cymone, Jonathan, and many other kids from across the United States shared with the Biden administration why they need clean air. On Feb. 7, 2024, the Biden administration answered — with new protections from the deadly air pollutant soot that will prevent nearly a million asthma episodes and save thousands of lives.

January 16, 2024 document

Community Letter on PM 2.5 Standards (Jan 2024)

Earthjustice and community groups across the country once again call for you to finalize a substantial strengthening of EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate mater pollution (PM 2.5), also known as soot.

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Case page created on June 18, 2007.